Pittsburgh Cybersecurity Job Market: Trends and Growth Areas for 2025

As we dive into Pittsburgh's cybersecurity job market in 2025, the scene looks promising yet challenging, especially for beginners. Pittsburgh, as part of Pennsylvania, is experiencing a vast cybersecurity talent gap.

It’s projected that there will be over 10,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions in the state, with about 15% specifically in Pittsburgh. For context, Pennsylvania’s supply/demand ratio stands at 0.6, below the national average of 0.8.

This indicates more job openings than qualified professionals, enhancing opportunities for newcomers. Beginners in Pittsburgh can exploit this gap with entry-level positions like:

• Security Analyst
• Incident Responder
• Network Security Engineer

Pittsburgh’s focus on information security is climbing with spending expected to increase by 30% in 2025.

According to IBM's recent report, the average data breach costs businesses in Pittsburgh around $4 million, prompting companies to bolster defenses. As you explore the rest of this blog, we will cover the current landscape, key trends including the influence of AI, skill development opportunities, national strategies bolstering growth, and areas for future expansion.

As a beginner, understanding these dynamics will equip you to tap into an evolving field and make informed career decisions. “Cybersecurity isn’t just a sector; it’s a culture of vigilance and innovation.”

The cybersecurity scene in Pittsburgh is seriously heating up in 2025, with data showing Pennsylvania's cybersecurity workforce supply at only 69% of what's needed.

This gap creates amazing opportunities for newcomers like me to jump into the field. The shortage isn't just a local thing - experts predict a massive 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally by the end of 2025.

Major companies in Pittsburgh, including PNC Financial Services and UPMC, are desperately searching for fresh talent to protect their digital assets.

These organizations aren't just looking for experienced pros anymore - they're ready to invest in training newbies who show potential. The field is growing super fast, with a 32% growth rate that's way higher than most other jobs.

“Entry-level positions in network security, information security analysis, and threat assessment are popping up everywhere, and companies are actually competing to hire recent grads and career switchers. They're offering sweet perks like mentorship programs, certification support, and clear career advancement paths.”

For anyone looking to break into cybersecurity, Pittsburgh's market is practically rolling out the red carpet - we're talking real opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact right from the start.

Pittsburgh's cybersecurity scene in 2025 is seriously heating up, with both challenges and opportunities that make it an exciting time to jump in. The global shortage of cybersecurity experts is projected to hit 3.5 million by 2025, and Pittsburgh's feeling the impact.

The job market is growing fast - we're talking about a 28% increase from 2021 to 2031, which is huge for anyone looking to start their career. What's really cool is that these positions, like Cybersecurity Analysts and Cloud Security Specialists, are offering salaries over $120K annually.

The upcoming Cyburgh Initiative is bringing together tech leaders to address these challenges and showcase why Pittsburgh is becoming such a major player in cybersecurity.

Companies are seriously investing in new security measures, especially in areas like cloud security, which is expected to reach $68.5 billion by 2030. The local tech scene is getting a boost from places like Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, which are creating programs specifically designed to fill these roles.

Small businesses in Pittsburgh are facing increasing threats, from phishing attacks to ransomware, creating even more demand for security professionals.

For anyone interested in tech, the timing couldn't be better - companies are desperately seeking fresh talent with skills in programming, network security, and AI integration.

Plus, with all the startups and established companies in Pittsburgh's tech corridor, there are tons of opportunities to grow and make an impact right out of school.

Looking to break into tech in Pittsburgh? Per Scholas Pittsburgh is changing the game with their tuition-free training programs in 2025.

Their cybersecurity course, starting February 3rd, gives you the chance to earn the CompTIA CySA+ certification in just 12-16 weeks. What makes this seriously cool is that their cybersecurity program offers both hybrid and remote options, making it super flexible for different schedules.

They're not just about cybersecurity though - they've got programs in AWS cloud computing, IT support, software engineering, and even Salesforce administration.

The best part? Per Scholas has strong connections with major employers like All Lines Technology, BNY Mellon, and Comcast NBCUniversal.

Their focus on real-world skills means you're learning exactly what employers want. Starting in 2025, they're adding required pre-work modules to make sure everyone's ready to hit the ground running.

Plus, their career development team helps with everything from resume building to interview prep, making sure you're totally prepared to land that dream tech job.

These programs are totally changing lives in Pittsburgh.

Whether you're fresh out of high school or looking to switch careers, Per Scholas provides all the support you need - including financial assistance options for those who qualify.

With flexible learning formats and a proven track record of success, it's honestly one of the smartest ways to launch a tech career in Pittsburgh right now. The application process is competitive, but if you're ready to put in the work, the opportunity to transform your career is right here.

The National Cyber Workforce & Education Strategy (NCWES) is transforming the cybersecurity landscape with its comprehensive approach to workforce development.

The strategy aims to address the massive gap of 3.4 million cybersecurity workers globally by focusing on skill-based hiring and education transformation. Working with over 100 organizations, the initiative has secured $95 million in investments and commitments to hire 13,000 workers while training one million individuals in cybersecurity.

Pittsburgh is stepping up to meet these national goals through innovative programs at institutions like the University of Pittsburgh, where the Creating a Diverse Cybersecurity Workforce project is launching asynchronous boot camps to make cybersecurity education more accessible.

The city's tech community is seriously focused on addressing diversity challenges, noting that men currently outnumber women 3-to-1 in the field, and underrepresented groups make up less than 15% of the workforce.

Local initiatives are gaining momentum through partnerships with community colleges, targeted scholarship programs, and regular industry events that create networking opportunities for newcomers.

The Pittsburgh Cybersecurity Forum and Steel City InfoSec Summit continue to draw larger crowds each year, with attendance jumping 40% since 2023.

These events aren't just about listening to speakers - they're real opportunities for students and career-changers to connect with industry professionals and learn about the latest security threats.

The combination of national strategy and local action is making Pittsburgh a standout city for cybersecurity careers, especially for those looking to break into the field through non-traditional paths.

Pittsburgh's cybersecurity scene in 2025 is seriously taking off, especially in AI-driven cybersecurity and zero trust architecture.

The city's tech landscape is transforming rapidly, with companies rushing to protect themselves against increasingly smart cyber threats. Recent data shows Pittsburgh's cybersecurity spending is expected to hit $212 billion by 2025, which is pretty wild - that's a 15% jump from last year! Companies like Right Hand Technology Group are leading the charge, offering cutting-edge solutions that are changing how we think about security.

What's really interesting is how recent cyber incidents targeting Pittsburgh's infrastructure have sparked massive growth in operational technology (OT) security.

The recent attack on the Aliquippa Municipal Water Authority was a wake-up call, showing just how crucial it is to protect our critical systems. In response, local companies are investing heavily in security measures, creating tons of new job opportunities.

We're talking about a 40% increase in cybersecurity positions, which is honestly amazing for anyone looking to break into the field.

The coolest part? Pittsburgh is becoming a major hub for emerging tech like quantum-resistant encryption and blockchain security.

Local universities are partnering with tech companies to create specialized training programs, making it easier for people to get into these high-demand fields.

The city's tech scene is growing so fast that even entry-level positions are offering competitive salaries, with plenty of room for growth. Whether you're into AI security, infrastructure protection, or quantum computing, Pittsburgh's cybersecurity market has something for everyone right now.